Funding Criteria for Students in Scotland

To be eligible for funding, you must meet all the following:

• be an EU national living in the UK before 31 December 2020
• have settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme
• be living in the EU, elsewhere in the EEA or Switzerland for the three years immediately before the first day of your course’s first academic year

There are separate arrangements in place for:

• Irish nationals moving from the Republic of Ireland to study in Scotland
• EU and UK nationals moving from Gibraltar
• UK nationals who have never lived in the UK who are now ordinarily resident in Scotland

For more information on the funding available, contact:

• your college funding/support team, if you are joining any course in a college except HNC/HND
• Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), if you’re doing an HNC/HND, degree or any other higher education course

Tuition fees

Paid to your college by the government

Tuition fees for full-time college students: Paid to your college from the government funding agency.
 
Key points: Residency and previous study restrictions apply.

Where to apply: Your college funding/support team.

For more information, visit our tuition fees for college students page.

Maintenance Allowance

up to £108.55 per week, term-time only

Maintenance Allowance for students for self-supporting students: The maximum allowance is limited to £108.55 per week, term-time only

You’ll get reduced funding if your household income is above £20,643 per annum. Some colleges assess this differently. Talk to your student support officer for more information.

Key points for Funding:

You’re a self-supporting student, if you are aged 25 or over on the start date of the course 

If you’re under 25, you’re (must meet one of the below conditions):

• in a married relationship on the start date of the course
• estranged or have no living parents
• having a dependent child
• financially self-supported for at least 3 years prior to the course starting

Where to go for more information and apply: Your college funding/support team.

Study Expense Allowance

based on assessment

Study expense allowance for college students: To fund essential items needed for certain courses. This is based on your course requirements that have been assessed by the college.
Where to go for more information and apply: Your college funding/support team.

Travel Expense Allowance

based on assessment

Travel expense allowance for college students: If you stay more than 2 miles away from your college, you might get help with travel cost such as public transport or car (if there is no public transport available). 
Where to go for more information and apply: Your college funding/support team.

Discretionary funding

based on assessment

Discretionary funding for college students: Colleges may be able to provide extra help if you’re having problems with money. To get help, please check with your college funding team.
Key points:  Assessed by college/university based on financial situation.
Where to go for more information and apply: Your college funding/support team.

Council Tax exemption for full time students

Part or full exemption from paying council tax

Council tax exemption: You might get part or full exemption from paying council tax depending on others in your household.
Key points: full-time students (except short term courses) are usually eligible to apply. 
Where to go for information and apply: Council Tax – mygov.scot